GRAND
CAYMAN (GIS) – Social work is
a calling rather than a choice, guests at the first-ever Social Work
Recognition Dinner in the Cayman Islands heard throughout the
evening.

The
Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) hosted the dinner
and awards ceremony at the Grand Old House.

Deputy
Governor and Head of the Civil Service, Hon. Mr. Franz Manderson,
took the opportunity to commend the department’s social work staff.

“You
embody the purpose of the civil service, to make the lives of those
we serve better. I appreciate that you work with the most vulnerable
people in our islands and I am thankful for your dedication and
commitment to service,” Mr. Manderson said.

The
gala evening also gave former social worker, and current Ministry of
Community Affairs Chief Officer, Teresa Echenique the chance to
formally acknowledge the department’s social work and community
development teams, while pledging increased support for them in the
future.

Finally,
DCFS Director Paulinda Mendoza Williams thanked her staff for their
hard work, dedication and selflessness.

In
her welcome and opening remarks the Director said: “Being change
agents, social workers are always caring for others, while often
times neglecting to care for ourselves and family.”

“We
at times shy away from the spotlight and welcome taking a back seat
when we are the true champions of social change… Through all this
we know what it is to be human and to be humane. By observing the
theme: “Elevate Social Work,” let us reaffirm our commitment and
dedication to our profession, the department and the people of the
Cayman Islands as we continue to serve, embracing the highest
standards of social work practice,” she concluded.

Attendees
were given certificates of appreciation by Ms Echenique.
Additionally, the Deputy Governor presented Outstanding Social Work
plaques to Kai
Matthews-Mowatt, David Hunter, Kerry Parchman, Juliet Garricks,
Kernita Bailey and Sophia Walker.

A
special presentation was also given to DCFS Social Work Manager
Leanora Wynter-Young. The former Civil Service Employee of the Month
in 2017, gave an impromptu speech, in which she spoke of things she
had learnt in her 43-year career.

She
also shared an anecdote about her own first-hand experience of social
workers’ power to change lives. This concerned a troubled, pregnant
teenage client that Mrs. Wynter-Young checked on over the years.

Years
later, now a married mother of one, she contacted Mrs. Wynter-Young
to tell her that thanks to the social worker’s advice, she was
about to graduate from law school, while her child was enrolled in a
master’s degree in business administration.

The
evening ended with a vote of thanks from Social Work Manager (Elderly
Services) Cassandra Fearon.

Captions and pictures Elphina Jones (GIS)

Photo1:
Social
Worker Kernita Bailey receives her Outstanding
Social Work
award from Deputy Governor and Head of the Civil Service, Hon. Franz
Manderson at the Social Work Month Recognition Dinner.

Photo2: Deputy
Governor and Head of the Civil Service, Hon. Franz Manderson and
Social Work Manager Leanora Wynter-Young (recipient of Outstanding
Social Work award) with MASH Social Work
Supervisor Tiffany Myles and DCFS Director Paulinda Mendoza-Williams
at the Social Work Month Recognition Dinner.

Photo4:
Social Work Supervisor Christine Miller receives her Outstanding
Social Work award from
Deputy Governor and Head of the Civil Service, Hon. Franz Manderson
at
the Social Work Month Recognition Dinner.

Photo6:
Social
worker Lydia Watling receives her certificate of appreciation
certificate from Ministry of Community Affairs Chief Officer Teresa
Echenique at the Social Work Month Recognition Dinner.

Photo7:
(L-r): Ministry Community Affairs Deputy Chief Officer André Ebanks
with several recipients of the Outstanding Social Work award
presented at the Social Work Month Recognition Dinner. Social Workers
Kai Matthews-Mowatt and Juliet Garricks, Social Work Supervisor Kerry
Parchman, Social Work Manager Leanora Wynter-Young (Distinguished
Social Work Service to the Cayman Islands recipient), Community
Development Officer Dorline Welcome, DCFS Director Paulinda
Mendoza-Williams, Ministry of Community Affairs Chief Officer Teresa
Echenique and Deputy
Governor and Head of the Civil Service, Hon. Franz Manderson.